Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, UGA, GA

This veterinary externship provides an independent study experience for the veterinary student to be exposed to clinical avian medicine. The actual subject matter covered and experience gained will vary from day to day based on the MAM classes being taught at the time and the clinical/laboratory submission case load; there may be some days where there are minimal clinical activities and/or class work occurring.  Prospective externship students must complete the one page study plan, outlining the goals they have for the externship and selecting a poultry topic (ie. disease, management, welfare etc.) to complete a short literature review and/or 15 minute presentation on.  The selected topic must be approved by a PDRC clinician prior to the start of the externship. 

This Avian Medicine externship is intended to encourage veterinarians to pursue a career in the poultry industry and enroll in a graduate program in poultry medicine. It is focused for prospective veterinarians who have a specific interest in pursuing a career in the poultry industry and provides an opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the veterinarian’s role in the poultry industry. Applicants with other career plans will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Externs will get an opportunity to shadow the Masters in Avian Medicine (MAM) students thus gaining exposure to formal classes, farm visits, necropsy sessions and diagnostic procedures.

Objectives and/or Expected Learning Outcomes

This experience will give students the opportunity to become familiar with poultry disease research, necropsy, and clinical medicine. In addition, students will be able to develop networks that advance future employment opportunities.

Topical Outline

1. Students will participate in MAM classes and labs scheduled from 8:00 a.m. - Noon during the academic week;
2. With guidance from a mentor and the MAM students, students will participate in necropsy of birds submitted to the PDRC Diagnostic Lab;
3. With guidance from a mentor and the MAM students, students will participate in field visits in the afternoons to experience clinical medicine first hand;
4. Students will attend clinical rounds that are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Mondays and be required to present a case study; and
5. Students will attend PDRC seminar on Mondays at 2:30 p.m.
6. Students will prepare a short literature review and/or a 15 minute presentation on an approved poultry topic.
    
   Specific Learning Objectives:
   With guidance and assistance from the mentor, students will, based on case load, participate in clinical avian medicine in order to learn how to:   

1. Perform poultry necropsies;
2. Perform farm visits to investigate disease challenges;
3. Develop an appreciation for the influence that the house environment has on the epidemiology of disease in intensive production systems;
4. Collect specimens for diagnostic testing; and
5. Utilize a diagnostic approach for solving poultry disease and management problems
6. Prepare a written and/or verbal document to provide an informative overview of a poultry topic (ie. disease, management, welfare etc.) of interest.

953 College Station Road
Athens, GA 30605
United States